Latest news with #NationalDroughtGroup
Sky News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News
East and West Midlands are latest regions officially in drought - which areas could be next?
The East and West Midlands are officially in drought after the driest start to a year since 1976. The two regions join the North West of England and Yorkshire, which have had drought status for several weeks. The decision by the government's National Drought Group makes it more likely that people in the areas will be affected by hosepipe bans. Currently, eight million people have restrictions on water use, or will do so in the next week. Experts from the government, water companies and the Met Office judged that reservoir and river levels in the Midlands were well below normal, with no substantial rain in the forecast. But Howden reservoir in Derbyshire is just 39% full, with three heatwaves so far this summer rapidly draining supplies. 2:38 After the meeting by the government group, water minister Emma Hardy MP said: "We need to stop talking about these being extreme weather events and start to accept that because of climate change, things like this are going to be more normal. "So as for whether more companies will introduce temporary use bans, that really genuinely depends on what happens with the weather over the next few months." The Environment Agency has drawn up a reasonable worst-case scenario in which England receives 20% less rain than normal and the weather remains warm, but not hot - far from improbable. In that case, the drought will grow to include all regions down to Wessex, Hampshire and across to Cambridgeshire by the autumn. The rest of the country would be in a pre-drought status - officially called "prolonged dry weather" - apart from Devon and Cornwall, which have had more rain over recent months. 2:59 But a water expert has told Sky News that poor planning by the government and water companies is also to blame for regions being affected by drought and hosepipe bans. Professor Richard Ashley, of the University of Sheffield, said a failure to build new reservoirs, link up water grids across regions and fix leaks has undermined water security in the face of dry weather. "We do have a largely Victorian-based supply system," he said. "A lot of our infrastructure is in desperate need of upgrading, and replacement of water mains is of the order of once every hundred years in this country, and that frankly is shocking. "This is outdated thinking and outdated infrastructure to cope with problems of the now and the future." The last reservoir built in the UK was in 1992. Since then, the population has grown by 12 million. And water companies currently lose three billion litres of water a day through leaks. Even on the day that the official drought was expanded, a burst water main in south London resulted in a flood that closed schools and forced homes to be evacuated
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Hosepipe bans: the penalties for breaking 2025 water rules
The UK's water supplies are under serious pressure as drought spreads 💧 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The West and East Midlands have been officially declared in drought Water companies may introduce more hosepipe bans if rainfall remains low Millions of households in England are already facing water restrictions Breaking a hosepipe ban can result in fines up to £1,000 Certain exemptions apply for medical, commercial, and essential water use The West and East Midlands have officially been declared in drought following a meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) on Tuesday (15 July) morning. According to the Environment Agency, conditions have worsened significantly since the group last met on June 5. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Without substantial rainfall in the coming weeks, some water companies may be forced to introduce further drought measures — including temporary use bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans. Millions of households are already facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire in the face of reservoir storage at only 53.8%. And embattled utility Thames Water has announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday (22 July) for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Millions more across the UK are being urged to use water wisely and follow any local restrictions, as prolonged dry weather continues to put pressure on the nation's water supply. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But what are the rules around hosepipe bans, and how much can you be fined if you break the rules? Here is everything you need to know. What does a hosepipe ban mean? A temporary use ban (TUB) prohibits using a hosepipe connected to mains water for non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens or lawns, washing cars, windows, patios or driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, fountains or ponds. You can still use a watering can or buckets, and you may use rainwater, greywater, or private borehole water through hoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is anybody exempt from hosepipe bans? There are a number of exemptions under which a hosepipe may still be used, even during a regional ban. For instance, businesses and commercial users may use a hosepipe for essential operations, such as cleaning equipment or vehicles as a service. Priority Services customers (such as those with medical requirements or disabilities), Blue Badge holders, and WaterSure tariff users may have exemptions for essential water uses, including pools for medical or religious reasons. Food crops at home or private allotments may be watered with a hose if a watering can would be unreasonable to use, while nlaid turf or planted areas can be watered via hose for around 14–28 days post planting by a business contractor, depending on specific company policy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Public health, safety and essential maintenance (e.g. keeping a navigable pond oxygenated, washing vessels under specific conditions) are also permissible. What is the penalty for violating a hosepipe ban? Violating a hosepipe ban is a criminal offence under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, successor to the Water Industry Act 1991. Enforcement usually starts with a warning letter from your water company if a breach is reported, typically to issue a reminder before issuing a fine. They don't send enforcement officers to check every garden — most enforcement is based on community reports or repeated violations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Repeat or serious breaches can lead to fines without prosecution in court. Anyone found using a hosepipe during a ban may be fined up to £1,000. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
UK set for fourth intense heatwave as scorching 32C highs close out July
If you're happy the recent heatwaves are at an end, there's bad news - even more scorching temperatures look likely to be baking Britain before the end of the month A fourth heatwave of the summer will arrive before the end of the month as Brits desperate for an end to the high temperatures are told to brace for even more intense heat. The UK is currently recuperating from its third heatwave of the year, with several parts of the country experiencing conditions over 32C since Friday and Monday. Despite temperatures rising over 30C again on Monday, rain is now falling to help cool some areas down with a welcome wind also arriving this week. However, it could soon change again as Met Office weather maps reveal more sweltering highs are on the cards this month. There will be a bit of a wait until things really heat up again, but by Tuesday July 29 we will be switching on the fans again with the south east expecting the mercury to hit 31C. Other areas, such as the west Midland and the north west, will see highs of 30. It is due to be even warmer on Wednesday July 30 with 32C forecast. Things will begin to get really hot again from next weekend, with much of the south seeing 28C from the Sunday. Before that, rain is scheduled across most parts of Britain, a relief for millions as water companies roll out hosepipe bans as water supplies dwindle following one of the driest springs on record. It comes as the Environment Agency, which aims to help protect the UK environment, has warned England faces widespread drought conditions by September. The East and West Midlands have become the latest areas of England to fall into drought as the country struggles with the driest start to the year since 1976. The declaration of drought status for the East and West Midlands means the region joins Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, which are already in drought. As it stands, there are four UK regions considered drought zones, and there could be an additional four within a matter of months, it says. The National Drought Group is set to meet later today to discuss the worsening situation. Rain and thunderstorms has today hit some regions, including the Northwest of England, this afternoon as a band of low pressure creeps in from the west. This will also lead to gusts of up to 50mph along the coasts of south Wales and Somerset and Devon. It will be quite the contrast to recent scorchers and the Met Office website reads: "A band of rain will move east through the day, followed by heavy scattered showers in the northwest. Windy for many, particularly across the south and west. Feeling fresh." The sequence begins an unsettled ending to July. The Met Office's long-range forecast, concerning the period up to Monday July 28, says it will be "wet and, in places, windy". It adds: "Unsettled, wet and in places windy weather is likely this coming weekend, followed by something a bit more mixed. Any more settled spells could persist for a few days at a time and are likely to be accompanied by plenty of sunshine, but interspersed with these will be cloudier, more unsettled intervals which will bring some showers or longer spells of persistent rainfall." Amber and yellow heat health alerts which have been in place across England – warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions – are due to lift at 9am today. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: 'The heatwave is starting to come to an end as low pressure starts to move in from the Atlantic. "We say goodbye to high pressure as this area of low pressure takes over, bringing bands of heavy rain, some thundery downpours, but also bringing in some fresher conditions across many parts.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Hosepipe bans: Has your area been banned from using hosepipes?
Hosepipe bans have been introduced across England, affecting millions of bans have been brought in by a number of water companies, after England experienced its second driest spring on record according to BBC has also been England's warmest June on latest hosepipe ban comes from a water company called Thames Water, and is said to effect 1.1 million customers in the south of England. Meanwhile, more English regions have announced they are experiencing a drought after the National Drought Group met on East and West Midlands have officially entered drought, joining the north west of England and Yorkshire who have already declared they are experiencing have always happened, but climate change and our growing use of water are raising the risks of water shortages, the Environment Agency what is a drought? And what is a hosepipe ban? Find out here. What is a drought? A drought is when there is a longer than expected period of dry weather, leading to a shortage of the UK, water is collected in places called help supply clean, fresh water to homes and businesses around the country throughout the if there is a long time with little to no rain, then reservoirs may not have enough water to go can read more about droughts and what they mean here. Why do water companies ban the use of hosepipes? When water supplies are very low, water companies may restrict how much water their customers can way to restrict water is to ban the non-essential use of are often used in homes to:water plantsclean cars and bikes fill up ponds or paddling of using garden hosepipes, customers are encouraged to use watering cans to water plants or buckets of water to wash cars and hope is these methods will use up less water than a hosepipe water companies may fine customers for using hosepipes during a ban. Which water companies have announced hosepipe bans? On Monday Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban, affecting 1.1 million hosepipe ban would start on 22 July in Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and parts of Water introduced the first hosepipe ban of the year, affecting 5 million customers on ban covers much of Yorkshire, parts of north Lincolnshire and parts of South East Water customers are preparing for a ban on 18 July affecting people in Kent and Sussex. What is happening in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland? As of Tuesday, there are no official droughts reported in Northern Ireland or Mid and South Ceredigion in west Wales say there is a risk of "developing drought".In Scotland, droughts are not declared. Instead, they monitor water levels. Parts of eastern Scotland have been affected by "moderate" water scarcity, meaning water levels are lower than usual.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Hosepipe bans: the penalties for breaking 2025 water rules
The UK's water supplies are under serious pressure as drought spreads 💧 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The West and East Midlands have been officially declared in drought Water companies may introduce more hosepipe bans if rainfall remains low Millions of households in England are already facing water restrictions Breaking a hosepipe ban can result in fines up to £1,000 Certain exemptions apply for medical, commercial, and essential water use The West and East Midlands have officially been declared in drought following a meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) on Tuesday (15 July) morning. According to the Environment Agency, conditions have worsened significantly since the group last met on June 5. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Without substantial rainfall in the coming weeks, some water companies may be forced to introduce further drought measures — including temporary use bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans. Millions of households are already facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire in the face of reservoir storage at only 53.8%. And embattled utility Thames Water has announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday (22 July) for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Millions more across the UK are being urged to use water wisely and follow any local restrictions, as prolonged dry weather continues to put pressure on the nation's water supply. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But what are the rules around hosepipe bans, and how much can you be fined if you break the rules? Here is everything you need to know. What does a hosepipe ban mean? A temporary use ban (TUB) prohibits using a hosepipe connected to mains water for non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens or lawns, washing cars, windows, patios or driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, fountains or ponds. You can still use a watering can or buckets, and you may use rainwater, greywater, or private borehole water through hoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is anybody exempt from hosepipe bans? There are a number of exemptions under which a hosepipe may still be used, even during a regional ban. For instance, businesses and commercial users may use a hosepipe for essential operations, such as cleaning equipment or vehicles as a service. Priority Services customers (such as those with medical requirements or disabilities), Blue Badge holders, and WaterSure tariff users may have exemptions for essential water uses, including pools for medical or religious reasons. Food crops at home or private allotments may be watered with a hose if a watering can would be unreasonable to use, while nlaid turf or planted areas can be watered via hose for around 14–28 days post planting by a business contractor, depending on specific company policy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Public health, safety and essential maintenance (e.g. keeping a navigable pond oxygenated, washing vessels under specific conditions) are also permissible. What is the penalty for violating a hosepipe ban? Violating a hosepipe ban is a criminal offence under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, successor to the Water Industry Act 1991. Enforcement usually starts with a warning letter from your water company if a breach is reported, typically to issue a reminder before issuing a fine. They don't send enforcement officers to check every garden — most enforcement is based on community reports or repeated violations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Repeat or serious breaches can lead to fines without prosecution in court. Anyone found using a hosepipe during a ban may be fined up to £1,000.
